Phils sign catcher Bako

The Phillies Zone

This press release came my way just as I was boarding an airplane to Cincy. Not a move likely to impact the major league team, but this is why they call me the media (or medium, I guess):

Catcher Paul Bako agreed to a minor league contract with the Phillies, Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock announced today.

Bako, 36, will report to extended spring training in Clearwater today until a schedule is set. He will then advance through the minor system when he is physically able to play. He began the 2009 season with the Chicago Cubs spring training camp before being released on March 30.

“Paul has a tremendous amount of major league experience and he gives us the opportunity to add greater catching depth to our system,” Proefrock said.

For his career, Bako has hit .231 with 21 home runs and 186 runs batted in over 745 major league games between the Tigers (1998), Astros (1999-2000), Marlins (2000), Braves (2000-01), Brewers (2002), Cubs (2003-04), Dodgers (2005), Royals (2006), Orioles (2007) and Reds (2008). He has thrown out 28% of potential base stealers for his career (155 out of 549).